Like people, every owl I come across seems to have a unique personality that drastically varies from bird to bird. Some owls seem to be very shy and skittish, while others are much calmer around people. Habituation? Perhaps. However, I feel it has more to do with the personality of each animal. This great grey owl had the calmest demeanor I have ever witnessed. It was the house cat of owls. It flew right toward me and landed on the fence post right in front of where I was standing, within an arm’s reach! I then spent nearly a half an hour photographing it from that spot and it didn’t seem phased by my presence. Experiences like this are what I love about nature and wildlife. Having the pleasure to stand within feet of such a magnificent animal and observe it going about its normal activities as if I was not there is such an incredible experience.
Emerging from the Sulphur Mountain hot springs, this stream is one of the many natural springs feeding Vermillion Lakes in Banff National Park.
For only a few short weeks each year, the blooming wildflowers put on an impressive display in the meadows throughout Banff National Park.
